Mynderse Blue Turns Cornell Big Red (Photos)

9/1/2013 6:23:59 AM

By Greg Cotterill

Mynderse Academy's Bracht Field turned from blue to red Saturday as the Cornell "Big Red" football team held a practice and scrimmage. It all started with Seneca Falls Police escort thru town and a greeting from State Senator and Cornell Alumnus Michael Nozzolio.

State Senator Michael Nozzolio, Cornell Head Football Coach David Archer, and Mynderse Academy School Superintendent Bob McKeveny.

"We are excited to practice at Mynderse Academy," says Head Coach of Cornell Football David Archer. "We want to install the idea with our team that we need to be ready to play no matter where the game is, what time the game is, what has happened the previous week, or what is going on in our personal lives at that time. That is one of the great things about the game of football is that each week, and really each play, you have the chance to recreate yourself and change the outcome for your team."

Senior Quarterback Jeff Mathews

Cornell senior quarterback Jeff Mathews has been named to the 2013 College Sports Journal Football Championship Subdivision Preseason All-America first team. He is one of five Ivy League players to earn mention on the three top squads.

One of the most exciting and productive quarterbacks in the history of the Ivy League, Mathews enters his final season on East Hill on the cusp of history. Already Cornell's career passing leader, he is a two-time Bushnell Cup finalist for Ivy League Player of the Year, and became the first sophomore to ever win the award in 2011. He ranked second nationally in passing yardage (355.1), third in total offense (338.4), 21st in points responsible for (13.8) and 32nd in pass efficiency (137.5). He is again on the Walter Payton Award Watch List to begin the 2013 campaign and is a preseason first-team FCS All-American according to Phil Steele. Mathews recently was named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, College Football Performance Award Performer of the Year and Senior Bowl watch lists.

All photos by Greg Cotterill, Finger Lakes News Radio.

Cornell opens it's season against Bucknell on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 3 p.m. at Schoellkopf Field.